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    Skyland Sanctuary

    4.9 (13 reviews)

    Services - Skyland Sanctuary

    Animal shelters

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    This is another calve who lives here with her mother.
    Nooch X.

    I had the opportunity to volunteer here this past weekend. Skylands is an Animal Sanctuary, for those who don't know, an animal sanctuary is a facility where rescued animals are brought to live in peace and dignity and be protected for the rest of their lives. The property used to be a large mansion like home with a horse farm. Since then, they've transformed the original barn and built two additional very large barns. The large house is still there, but is now used to hold charity events. The sanctuary has many different kind of animals. There's a large amount of cows and three calves. There's also pigs, sheep, goats, turkeys, chicken, and ducks. Unlike zoos, all the animals here are happy and have proper living conditions. Every animal here has a story. A majority of the animals here were rescued, by owners Mike and Wendy, from being slaughtered by the meat, dairy and egg industry. During the visiting season, Mike gives the tours, which is pretty awesome, because he tells the stories about the animals he rescued. Skylands is a nonprofit organization. Both the owners work full time jobs and all the staff are volunteers. That being said, when visiting, it's very important that you donate, the animals need your help.

    Hannah, 4 days old, newly arrived, She must have been so scared and wanting her mother.She still mooed softly at us and came toward us.
    Leanne S.

    Wow does this place stay with you. Most people never think about what farmed animals endure to become meat on our plates. Skylands does a great job of educating while giving you plenty of time to observe the animals close up. When I was there, the half-grown calves were especially curious and affectionate and would rub on us, lick our clothes and skin, and give cow hugs -- that is when a cow curls her neck around you. I ended my day wet from the licks and a little muddy, and I was very happy this way. :-) (Don't worry, you can just step back if you don't want this.) Newly-arrived was a 4-day-old Jersey calf, Hannah, who had to have been traumatized to be separated from her mother to be sold at an auction, but she still walked toward us and mooed softly. The staff reminded me that of course she wanted her mother. I cannot forget her. She will be OK and will get to live with others near her age, but what about the millions of others? Well, you can indeed help them with your everyday choices -- that is what you learn here. This sanctuary has not been open long, but it really is beautifully maintained with multiple buildings on a diverse terrain. There are two weekend tours on Saturdays and Sundays, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you come early or stay late, you will get to enjoy a wonderful cookout in between. They ask for a donation for the cookout, and they use wonderful Fieldroast sausages and Boca burgers and Just Mayo sauces, you get the idea. The tour is only $10 pp, and there is a visitor center with cool t-shirts and jewelry. If you live nearly, they can always use volunteer help -- and of course, financial support. Mike has incredible stories of rescues and research he has done firsthand, and he doesn't sugarcoat the truth -- I cannot imagine the things he has seen. I am sure he has caused many people to renounce animal products. Check out his compassion tattooes. If you have an image of vegans as pale and weak, he will destroy that. I will never tire of visiting animal sanctuaries.

    The love of my life

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Can't say enough great things about this place. Amazing people animals food and area. Lovely experience and would love to go back

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This is a wonderful sanctuary, a very caring place doing their best to care for these rescued animals...

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    10 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Skyland Sanctuary

    Review Highlights - Skyland Sanctuary

    Our volunteer coordinator knew of Mike's rescue and we were able to get the piglet there.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    St Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

    St Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

    (62 reviews)

    This is hands-down the best animal shelter in the area, perhaps even the nicest one in NJ. The word…read more"shelter" really does not do it justice - rather, it is truly a center based on animal needs. It is a huge facility with a lot of resources, and most employees and volunteers are knowledgeable and genuinely happy to help because of their love for animals. I've worked mostly with the cats at St. Huberts, and while I haven't adopted, I have fostered a handful of times. (A great way to get involved, especially if you're not sure that you want to commit to a pet.) There is a huge support system for fosters like me, and they will even provide you with materials to get you started such as food and litter. If you're interested in animals, it's worth it come out and support this shelter. They're happy to take volunteers if you can't adopt!

    On Saturday March 11, 2026 I went in to adopt a cat the woman at the front desk was very friendly…read moreand helpful. To be honest the entire staff was amazing. They allowed me to interact with the animals it was such an emotional and wonderful experience. Megan is the young lady that helped me at the end when I adopted a 4year old caleco cat named Purrsy who is an amazing cat a little shy but she is slowly /coming out of her shell. I am in love with her. So if you want a great experience to adopt a dog, cat, rabbit whatever it maybe St. Huberts in Madison NJ is the place to go. Also thank you to the staff at Buddy's boutique they were also amazing. Thank You Giulia

    Wayward Ranch Animal Sanctuary

    Wayward Ranch Animal Sanctuary

    (2 reviews)

    If only I could visit this amazing spot every single day! My fiance found this wonderful animal…read moresanctuary on Airbnb experiences: feed and play with the baby pigs. That was the main event advertised and was enough to get me so excited for a trip, but it was actually SO much more! Before we actually even met the pigs, we got a chance to meet and pet puppies, the barn kitten, horses, goats and a mule and I have to say, Robin the goat stole my heart... While we pet and played and fed, Maggie taught us about the work that they do at the sanctuary. They rescue all different kinds of animals from different situations. Sometimes owners can no longer take care of their animal, sometimes they rescue them from livestock auctions (like Tanto the mule), but all of the time this amazing place is just trying to make sure these animals have happy lives. She explained some sad truths behind how teacup pigs are bred (they are basically just fed so little that their growth is stunted) but she just made us fall more and more in love with all of the animals we were meeting. So many animals at the sanctuary were up for adoption so if your house has a spare room, I can totally vouch for Robin the goat. They also have dogs that are looking for homes if that is more your speed. If you are just visiting the area like us, I highly recommend going for a tour. But prepare to get muddy and have very cute farm animals nuzzling up against you. Thank you for such a great day, Wayward Ranch!

    Lovely visit to this animal sanctuary with amazing staff who taught us about all the animals and…read morehow they came to stay at the sanctuary. Beautiful animals including horses, goats, and pigs to interact with as well. Had a wonderful time visiting with our children and friends and glad that the ranch provides such an opportunity to visit.

    Happy Paws House Calls - My Beautiful Princess

    Happy Paws House Calls

    (57 reviews)

    Dr. Mini (and Ron!) to the Rescue! (Thankfully!)... When we…read morefound out that we were going to be back in Rockaway, I reached out to Dr. Mini to see if she had any availability because Sierra was in desperate need of some dental care (immediately!) What I received was a quick response (via text) and I actually thought I was talking to a receptionist. What I didn't realize was that I was talking (texting) with Dr. Mini, herself, even though she was ON VACATION! She did an amazing job on Sierra's teeth and I would definitely recommend her (and even give her more stars if I could!!)

    Helping your dog cross over the rainbow bridge is never easy but having a good experience is…read moredefinitely something everyone takes for granted.. our girl took an unexpected turn last Thursday and we made the decision to put her to sleep at home that night.. I stumbled on happy paws on google/facebook and I really wish another vet had an opening and was able to come to our home. From the second I spoke to Dr Mink I felt rushed. I initially called her around 12/1pm to ask if she had an opening and she did from 6-8pm that she can be here.. I tried to call her back to confirm but she said she was in a house call and she'll call me back.. call back never happened.. turned into just a text exchange confirming she can come between 6-8pm. When she got here at 6:30 all we wanted was 10 extra minutes with our girl.. she made it seem like I was asking for an hour and said she can give us 5 minutes as she has another appointment right after.. I already got annoyed at this comment right from the beginning. When she came in first thing she asked for was payment.. no asking of what our girls name was, how old she was, what was going on.. nothing.. zero sympathy.. went straight for payment and then straight to almost giving her the first shot to put our baby to sleep.. she then gave us maybe 5 minutes and went straight to shaving her paw and putting in the IV line.. After our girl was gone the Dr gave us zero information about cremation.. all I got was can you pickup her ashes in Clifton? That's it.. no name of the company nothing.. we were also in total shock still so even asking these questions then completely went over my mind. I had to text her the next day asking when we can pickup her ashes and when they will be ready.. all I got was an excuse saying she sent the information already but the text didn't go through so she will resend them. In the end we picked up our girls ashes and paw prints on Tuesday, all no thanks to the Dr, I called the cremation place myself and was told everything was ready for pickup. I just hope this review helps others.. we were going through one of the worst days with our girl and looking back at all the things that happened I really wish we went with someone else.

    Skyland Sanctuary - animalshelters - Updated May 2026

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